Writing impelement



Nov. 29, 1966 w. RlTTER WRITING IMPLEMENT Filed NOV. 19, 1963 .70 vemor:\AJIUMLM R New United States Patent Ofifi ce 3,288,114 Patented Nov. 29,1966 2 Claims. of. 120-42.0s

The invention relates to a writing tool or implement, such as a ballpoint pen, but not limited thereto, provided with a longitudinallyadjustable filler or refill, wherein the adjustment of the spring-loadedfiller is effected by means of a pressure pin having an inclinedpressure surface and an arresting catch directly connected thereto, thecatch engaging in a groove in the outer case of the writing tool.

In such implements, and especially in ball point pens, the arrestingcatch, as a general rule, is disposed on a rseilient or elastic tonguewhich is fastened to the longitudinally adjustable pressure pin. Thetongue usually enables installing of the pressure pin in the pen casingfrom above and also facilities the engagement of the arresting catch inthe groove in the casing. The arresting catch may have the form of asimple projection, e.g., a peg or lug. In this case, two grooves, oneabove the other, can be provided in the casing, the lower one servingfor arresting in writing position, the other for arresting when inretracted position. However, it is possible to have merely one groove inthe casing. In that case, the arresting catch must be formed in steps orelse the arresting catch as well as the groove must be of a suitableshape, for instance, a T-form.

The embodiment of the adjustment for the refill in the manner describedhas the advantage that the writing implement, except for the refill andits spring, consists solely of two parts, i.e., the casing and thepressure pin, each of which can be fabricated in one piece, e.g., byinjection molding of a plastic. However, this embodiment also has thegrave disadvantage that the tension of the resilient or elastic tonguedecreases with age and, hence, the arresting effect and reliability ofthe implement correspondingly decrease. A further drawback resides inthe fact that the tongue has the tendency toward breaking or snappingoff.

The disadvantages named are not present in the writing implementaccording to the invention. In the latter, the arresting catch has twostop faces disposed one above the other, and the groove in the casing isslightly larger than the height of the arresting catch. Furthermore, thepressure surface of the pressure pin inclines downwardly from the sideupon which the catch is located and carries a clip on the side where thecatch is situated. The arm or shank of the clip faces downward andcovers the groove in the casing. Finally, the casing is provided on itsupper end with a slit opposite the groove which pe rmits resilientyielding of the upper wall parts upon introduction of the pressure pin,provided with the arresting catch, into the casing.

In the embodiment according to the invention, the arresting catch isdisposed directly upon the pressure pin, not on a resilient tongue. Thisprevents a decrease in the arresting action with age, and parts liableto break are eliminated. In addition, the pressure pin is simpler thanthose in the writing implements heretofore known. The mobility of thecasing required for introduction of the pressure pin with the arrestingcatch and for adjustment of the filler into working or resting positionis caused by the slit in the wall of the casing which proceeds in adownward direction thus permitting elastic yielding of the upper part ofthe casing and a resilient engagement of the arresting catch in thegroove.

Novel and of importance also is the feature whereby the pressure surfaceof the pressure pin slopes downwardly in the direct-ion opposite thelocation of the arresting catch. This causes pressure in the directionof the arresting catch when the pin is depressed which, in turn, causesa reliable engagement of the catch in the groove. The clip disposed onthe catch prevents a disengagement of the catch from the groove unlessdirect pressure is exerted on the clip. Therefore, the clip cannotcounteract the disengagement pressure as is the case when clip and catchare on opposite sides since the pressure must be exerted on the catch.It is self-understood that the clip must be formed, and fastened to, thepressure pin in such a manner that it does not lie against the casingalong its total length, but that it is able to 'move forward with thepressure pin over a given distance when pressure is applied, in thedirection of said pressure. Another advantage of the invention residesin the fact that the lower end of the clip always is pressed resilientlyand firmly against the casing so that a secure and permanent position inthe pocket of the wearer is assured. This action is caused by theexertion of upward pressure of the spring around the filler, thispressure acting upon the pressure pin. That, in turn, affects a tippingof the pressure pin with the clip over the arresting catch so that theend of the clip must lie firmly against the casing.

A preferred embodiment of the invention now will be explained withreference to the accompanying drawing. However, it should be understoodthat this is given merely by way of illustration, not of limitation, andthat numerous changes may be made in the details without departing fromthe spirit and the scope of the invention.

In the drawings,

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal section of a writing implement, shown as a ballpoint pen, with the filler or refill in retracted position;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation, partly in section, of the same pen as inFIG. 1 in writing position;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the upper end of a casing;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation of a pressure pin with clip;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a section along the lines AB of FIG. 4.

Referring now to these drawings, the ball point pin shown in FIGS. 1 and2, respectively consists of a casing 1 and pressure pin 2. On the sideof pin 2 facing clip 4, an arresting catch 3 is disposed having two stopfaces, 3a and 3b, respectively. In the lower end of pressure pin 2, arecess 5 in the shape of a truncated cone is disposed wherein the upperend of the cartridge or refill 6 comes to rest. The spring around thelower end of refill 6 comes to rest. The spring around the lower end ofrefill 6 is numbered 7. The pressure surface 8 of pressure pin 2 slopesdownwardly, away from the side where catch 3 is disposed. Casing 1 isprovided with groove 9 which accommodates arresting catch 3 and is ofgreater height than catch 3. Furthermore, casing 1 is provided, at itsupper end opposite groove 9, with a slit 10.

In accordance with the invention, clip 4 is disposed integrally onpressure pin 2 not opposite arresting catch 3, but on the same side, andits junction with pin 2 is at such a height above the upper edge ofeasing 1 that free upward and downward movement of pin 2 therein isassured. Clip 4 lies against the outer wall of casing 1 solely at itslower end 4a, whereas at the upper end sufiicient distance is providedthat its pressure movement is feasible.

In order to avoid that slit 10 is pressed too far apart upondisengagement of catch 3 from the arresting position by the exertion ofpressure upon clip 4, the provision of recesses 11 on both sides ofpressure pin 2 is recom mended. Moreover, it is advantageous to disposea lug- 3 type edge projection 12 along the side of pin 2 opposite catch3. Projection 12 extends into s'lit thus rendering the space between theedges of the slit substantially invisible.

The action of the mechanism described is as follows:

Upon assembly of the writing implement, pressure pin 2 is pushed intothe upper end of casing 1 until stop face 3a of arresting catch 3engages in groove 9. This position is shown in FIG. 1. Because casing 1is provided with sli-t 10, it yields resiliently or elastically, and thepresence of arresting catch 3 on pin 2 does not deter from the ease ofassembly.

When pressure is exerted upon the sloping pressure surface 8 of pressurepin 2, the latter slides downwardly until stop face 312 gets into thearea of groove 9 and engages therein. This puts the implement in writingposition, as shown in FIG. 2.

Disengagement of the refill from that position is carried out bypressing shortly against the upper end of clip 4 causing the upper partof pressure pin 2 to be displaced in the direction of slit 10 and catch3 to be pressed into the inside of easing 1.

By means of the pressure caused by spring 7 on cartridge 6, an upwardpressure is exerted on pressure pin 2 which causes, in cooperation witharresting catch 3, a tipping of pressure pin 2 so that the lower end 4aof clip 4 is pressed resiliently against casing 1. The disadvantagecommonly experienced with writing implements provided with a clip, thatthe clips strength and action decreases with age, is avoided thereby.

What is claimed is:

1. In a writing implement comprising a casing, a spring- -loadedcartridge disposed therein, and means for extension of said cartridgethrough the lower end of said casing and for retraction in the oppositedirection, the improvements which comprise, in combination, a slit inthe upper end of said casing; a groove near the upper end, and oppositeto said slit, of said casing; a pressure pin inserted in said casingfrom above, having an upper surface sloping away from the side wheresaid groove is located and having a recess in its lower end to house theupper end of said cartridge; recesses disposed along the sides of saidpressure pin facing both sides of said slit; a projection on saidpressure pin corresponding to, and extending into, said slit; anarresting catch directly and integrally fastened to the side of saidpressure pin facing said groove, said catch having an upper and a lowerstop face, each adapted to engage in said groove, one for writing andone for retracted position; a clip integrally fastened to said pressurepin at the highest point of said sloping surface, said 4, clip being ata distance from said casing .at said highest point, so as to allow freemovement of said pressure pin, and lying firmly against said casing atits lowest point, and protectively cove-ring said groove.

2. A writing implement comprising, in combination, a casing; a cartridgedisposed therein; a spring surrounding the lower end of said cartridge;said casing, at its upper end, being provided with a slit and with agroove near the upper end opposite said slit; a pressure pin inserted insaid casing from above, having an upper surface sloping away from theside where said groove is located and having a recess in its lower endto house the upper end of said cartridge; recesses disposed along thesides of said pressure pin facing both sides of said slit to preventundue spreading apart of said slit upon assembly of the implements; aprojection on said pressure pin corresponding to, and extending into,said slit thereby rendering the space of the slit in said casingsubstantially invisible; an arresting catch directly and integrallyfastened to the side of said pressure pin facing said groove, said catchhaving an upper and a lower stop face, each adapted to engage in saidgroove, one for writing position of said cartridge whereby saidcartridge extends through the lower end of said casing, the other forretracted position of said cartridge fully within said casing; a clipintegrally fastened to said pressure pin at the highest point of saidsloping surface, said clip being at a distance from said casing at saidhighest point, so as to allow free movement of said pressure pin, andlying firmly against said casing at its lowest point; said springcausing said upper stop to disengage from said groove when pressure isbrought to bear upon said highest point thus setting said cartridge fromwriting into retracted position; said writing position being attained bypressing said sloping surface downward thereby engaging said upper stopface in said groove.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,037,483 6/ 1962Caviglione -4203 3,179,087 4/1965 Kahn 12042.0 3 3,203,402 8/ 1965Lockwood 120-4203 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,000,831 10/ 1951 France. 1,094,54212/ 1954 France. 1,293,034 4/1962 France. 1,311,003 10/ 1962 France.

EUGENE R. CAPOZIO, Primary Examiner. HERBERT F. ROSS, Examiner.

1. IN A WRITING IMPLEMENT COMPRISING A CASING, A SPRINGLOADED CARTRIDGEDISPOSED THEREIN, AND MEANS FOR EXTENSION OF SAID CARTRIDGE THROUGH THELOWER END OF SAID CASING AND FOR RETRACTION IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION,THE IMPROVEMENTS WHICH COMPRISE, IN COMBINATION, A SLIT IN THE UPPER ENDOF SAID CASING; A GROOVE NEAR THE UPPER END, AND OPPOSITE TO SAID SLIT,OF SAID CASING; A PRESSURE PIN INSERTED IN SAID CASING FROM ABOVE,HAVING AN UPPER SURFACE SLOPING AWAY FROM THE SIDE WHERE SAID GROOVE ISLOCATED AND HAVING A RECESS IN ITS LOWER END TO HOUSE THE UPPER END OFSAID CARTRIDGE; RECESSES DISPOSED ALONG THE SIDES OF SAID PRESSURE PINFACING BOTH SIDES OF SAID SLIT; A PROJECTION ON SAID PRESSURE PINCORRESPONDING TO, AND EXTENDING INTO, SAID SLIT; AN ARRESTING CATCHDIRECTLY AND INTEGRALLY FASTENED TO THE SIDE OF SAID PRESSURE PIN FACINGSAID GROOVE, SAID CATCH HAVING AN UPPER END AND A LOWER STOP FACE, EACHADAPTED TO ENGAGE IN SAID GROOVE, ONE FOR WRITING AND ONE FOR RETRACTEDPOSITION; A CLIP INTEGRALLY FASTENED TO SAID PRESSURE PIN AT THE HIGHESTPOINT OF SAID SLOPING SURFACE, SAID CLIP, BEING AT A DISTANCE FROM SAIDCASING AT SAID HIGHEST POINT, SO AS TO ALLOW FREE MOVEMENT OF SAIDPRESSURE PIN, AND LYING FIRMLY AGAINST SAID CASING AT ITS LOWEST POINTAND PROTECTIVELY COVERING SAID GROOVE.